Russia-linked oil tanker suspected of launching drones

French authorities are investigating an oil tanker that is subject to sanctions and suspected of being part of Russia’s shadow fleet, which may have been a launchpad for mystery drone flights that forced the closure of airports in Denmark last week.

The tanker, known as the Boracay, has used numerous identities and was one of four Russia-linked vessels in the seas near Denmark at the time of the drone sightings on 22 and 24 September, which so far have not been fully explained.

It was sailing from the Russian oil terminal in Primorsk near St Petersburg, carrying 750,000 barrels of crude oil, to Vadinar in India, but was intercepted by a French naval vessel on Sunday and diverted towards Saint-Nazaire in western France while inquiries continue.

France investigates Russia-linked oil tanker suspected of launching drones

French Navy sailors monitoring radar during an exercise late last month. Photograph: Jonathan Klein/AFP/Getty Images© Photograph: Jonathan Klein/AFP/Getty Image